20 places to celebrate fall on Ohio’s north coast

With Labor Day weekend in the rear-view mirror and just a few weeks of summer remaining, it’s a great time to start coasting into fall by scheduling time for upcoming events. Fall is just as exciting as, if not more exciting than, summer in this popular destination. In most years, the northern Ohio weather in early fall is mild and pleasant, making it an ideal time to tour charming island villages, enjoy quiet walks along the Lake Erie coastline or shady wooded trails, experience a new adventure like zip lining through the color-changing treetops, or fully embrace the season at an autumn festival. Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands offers many ways to enjoy and embrace this time of year, including these 20 unique suggested events. From Halloween festivities to celebrations of food and drink, and harvest activities to live entertainment opportunities, there are a number of events to enter into your planner for September and October.

At HalloWeekends, the Great Pumpkin Fest provides fun for the whole family during the day. Enjoy not-so-scary fall activities, your favorite rides and attractions, live entertainment, and more! The frights come alive after dark with Haunt, where you can survive immersive mazes, spine-tingling scare zones, thrilling shows, and more.

Lake Eerie Fearfest, SanduskySep 27, 2019 – Oct 27, 2019

Lake EERIE Fearfest at Ghostly Manor Thrill Center is one haunted house you don’t want to miss this Halloween! With six attractions in one, Lake Eerie Fearfest is rated as one of the top haunted attractions in Ohio!

Witches Walk, SanduskyOct 23, 2019

A fun event for those 21 and over – a chance to dress up in costume and enjoy the local businesses of the city, all while raising money for a good cause. There will be drawings, raffles, prizes, and a parade, as well as some great new happenings so plan now to attend. Over 500 witches joined the fun in 2018!

Halloween at the Bay, Put-in-BayOct 26, 2019

Downtown taverns decorate with a theme for Halloween. Hundreds of people in costume. Some establishments have costume contests and give cash prizes. The island’s last big weekend. You’ve got to see it to believe it.

Prost!

North Coast Oktoberfest, SanduskySep 20, 2019 – Sep 22, 2019

Weekend block party in downtown Sandusky! Includes music, traditional Bavarian dancers, and a live glockenspiel. German food, beer, and wine. Arts & crafts and games for all ages, including a brat eating contest, barmaid run, wiener dog race, and much more. The family fun lane hosts a bounce house, dunk tank, giant Connect 4, pumpkin painting, and more. Kick off Saturday morning with the Beir Run.

Oastoberfest, Catawba IslandSep 28, 2019

Celebrate the kick-off of the world’s largest beer festival with Twin Oast Brewing. There will be plenty of German fanfare, food, and live music.

Oktoberfest, Put-in-BayOct 12, 2019 – Oct 13, 2019

The 27th Annual German-style festival features German food, hot spiced wine, and cold beer. Live polka and German-style music entertain both days. Souvenir apparel and beer glasses will be for sale as well as many great raffle items.

Take in a Show

UB40, SanduskySep 29, 2019

As part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, Britain’s world-famous reggae band UB40 released their first new studio album in five years in September 2018, before embarking on an extensive world tour, including a stop at Sandusky’s State Theatre.

50 Years of Abbey Road with the Liverpool Legends, SanduskyOct 12, 2019

Liverpool Legends celebrates 50 years of Abbey Road, considered to be the most iconic Beatles record of all time. With precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments and special effects, The Liverpool Legends will bring back the sounds and feelings of the music that is special in the hearts to people all over the world!

Bryan White, Port ClintonOct 25, 2019

Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum and gold artist with six #1 singles performs at The Listening Room for a return engagement. Hits include “Someone Else’s Star,” “Rebecca Lynn,” “I’m Not Supposed to Love You Anymore,” and “From This Moment On” with Shania Twain.

Well, That’s Different

Dragons & Bacon Fest, SanduskySep 14, 2019

Race a 40-foot dragon boat on Sandusky Bay with your team of 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steer person. Food vendors featuring bacon dishes, live music, and beverages. Come cheer on corporate, community, club, friends, and family teams or join in on the fun.

New Year’s Eve at the Bay, Put-in-BaySep 14, 2019

Come celebrate New Year’s – in September! Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce celebrates New Year’s Eve with Monte Carlo-style street games. Games and card tables will be set-up on Delaware Ave. There will be Champagne toasts and a countdown to Midnight inside local businesses.

Vintage Sports Car Races, Put-in-BaySep 24, 2019 – Sep 27, 2019

This event celebrates and recreates sports car races held on the streets of Put-in-Bay from 1952 to 1959 and in 1963. Racers and non-racers alike are engaged in an event that reaches back in time to capture the atmosphere of sports car racing of that era in a uniquely beautiful setting.

Woollybear Festival, VermilionOct 6, 2019

The Woollybear Festival is the largest one-day festival in the state of Ohio. Enter your Woollybear in the Woollybear 500, Woollybear costume look-a-like animal contest, or Woollybear costume child look-a-like contest. Enjoy food, Woollybear crafts, live entertainment, and the wonderful, wacky Woollybear Parade.

Fall, Farm, and Food Festivals

Wine, Art & Food Faire, Kelleys IslandSep 14, 2019

This event combines all you love about fall events! The Kelley’s Island Wine Company hosts island vendors featuring handmade gifts, art items, and fair food. Free wine tasting and raffles make this event fun for the whole family.

Feathers and Foliage Festival, Kelleys IslandSep 21, 2019

Get out and enjoy the fall splendor by going bird banding with Master Bird Bander Tom Bartlett. Participants can also take a guided bird walk with Pat Hayes of Kelleys Island Audubon Society or a tree walk with Chris Ashley, Kelleys Island State Park Manager.

Island Wine Festival, Put-in-BayOct 5, 2019

Sample foreign and domestic wines, including island wines. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of good food, excellent wine, winery tours, and a large silent auction that benefits the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society.

Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival, MarbleheadOct 12, 2019

This free, peninsula-wide festival includes a variety of activities for the entire family to enjoy: tours of Marblehead Lighthouse and Keeper’s House, live entertainment, pumpkin decorating contest, arts and crafts vendors, farmer’s market, historic walking tours, hayrides, shopping/dining opportunities, and more.

Apple Festival, Oak HarborOct 12, 2019 – Oct 13, 2019

Saturday events include royalty crowning, baby contest, grand parade, talent show, and live entertainment. Sunday events include a car show, kids fun run and 5K, smoke house at the Portage Fire Station.

Apple Peak Harvest Gathering, Berlin HeightsOct 19, 2019

The annual Apple Peak at Quarry Hill Orchards includes nearly 30 vintage, handmade, farm-style open air market vendors. This event will celebrate a true taste of autumn, highlight the peak of harvest, the turning of the leaves, and an appreciation for all things local. There will be a full day of flavors, engaging activities, and unique, authentic keepsakes for all ages. Pick your own apples, wagon rides through the orchards, live music, food trucks, local wine, hiking in the woods, boutique shopping with local makers, storytelling, culinary demos, rope making, painting, and much more.

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